NO ONE cares if you are gay.....here's an idea....PUNISH those who do harm to gay people....yeah, that's what we do here.....stupid folks will always exist ignorant folks learn about consequences for their behaviors.....doing harm to ANYONE gets you weighed and punished......ALL crimes are hate crimes unless you are Hannibal Lecter........in order for the billboard to work Seroquel would have to be put into the water supply......
it's a waste of $$$$$$$$
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I could not disagree more with a few respondents in regard to the gay advertisements on some local billboards. There were a couple of letters to the editor who found the opposition to the billboards quite offensive. This is where I totally disagree. I, along with most Americans, still believe in only heterosexual relationships For those of us who believe this way, we should not be considered hateful people There are constant debates every day on different topics. Does this mean one side always must be hateful? Did it ever occur to some that there may be others who have strong beliefs that may not be their beliefs? As far as setting examples for children go, there is a precedent that we as adults should set. Young children are very impressionable; I do not feel that they should be exposed to gay lifestyles. There are those who feel it will not affect the child in any way. In my opinion, a wrong example is being set. My beliefs do not make me hateful or prejudiced. I am a proud Catholic, married man who believes in a straight lifestyle.
Community leaders should get behind ‘I Am Gay’ campaign
On Dec. 3, In Our Own Voices launched the “I Am Gay” campaign, with billboards, bus shelter placards and ads on CDTA buses throughout the Capital Region. Recently, the ads have generated some comments and concerns. The In Our Own Voices board of directors would like to respond. The “I Am Gay” campaign is aimed at reducing the stigma and isolation that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgendered (LGBT) young people feel, particularly those in African-American communities. Without support systems or positive role models to turn to, these young people are more prone to severe depression, dropping out of school, substance abuse and risky sexual behaviors. As we have seen in tragic news stories over the past few months, LGBT youth are often targets of bullying, which can lead to suicide. In fact, studies have shown that LGBT youth facing negative social factors are four to eight times more likely to attempt suicide. When community leaders like [Schenectady] Councilman Joseph Allen and Rev. Alfred Thompkins issue public statements which condemn being gay, it contributes to an atmosphere of homophobia and discrimination. It is hard enough to be a young person in today’s world without having the additional pressures of believing that your community does not want or accept you because of your sexual orientation. We have a responsibility to our youth in particular, and to our community members in general, to ensure access to health services and information that will allow them to make good choices. We have responsibility to protect citizens from hate crimes and violence. We all deserve to live with pride and dignity. Recently, in response to the tragedy in Tucson, President Obama said, “How we treat one another is entirely up to us. I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us.” A barely noticed tragedy unfolds around us every day, as LGBT youth succumb to depression, substance abuse, or suicide because they have been made to feel unworthy, inferior and ashamed. As a community, we must stand together in addressing those public health issues which continue to have such devastating consequences. As a community-based organization, In Our Own Voices is committed to accomplishing this goal. We ask our elected and community leaders to join us in that commitment and to promote unity and hope, rather than division and fear.
GUY MALLORY Albany The writer is president of In Our Own Voices’ board.
Just visited the website of the guy who wrote the above letter, their organization is aimed at people of color who are gay, Mr. Allen was concerned only black youth shown on billboards. What he should have been opposed to was that the group does not include white people, reverse discrimination?
With all the controversy surrounding the visibility of pro-gay billboards in our community, I have heard little to nothing about who actually paid for them. It is my understanding that the state Department of Health paid for the billboards that were designed by In Our Own Voices — which I now know is the Capital Region’s only organization explicitly serving the needs of LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender] people. The billboards are aimed at reducing HIV/AIDS infection in black men and the homophobia that fosters a lack of self-worth in many gay men, which then leads to risky behavior — though I should point out that there is absolutely no mention of HIV or AIDS on any of the billboards. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure what the intended message was when I first saw one. The problem I see with the billboards has nothing to do with being anti-gay or the ridiculous fear that such a message promotes gay behavior. No, the problem is that taxpayer dollars were spent on them. In a time when layoffs and pay freezes are in effect, critical functions are being cut and the state is in economic crisis, does it really make sense to spend taxpayer dollars on an ad campaign that doesn’t even convey a clear message and in fact only succeeded in pouring fuel onto a fi re? A billboard costs between $700 to $2,500 per month per billboard, depending on size and location. That comes to $8,400 to $30,000 per billboard per year. A billboard is great for selling a car, but the notion that a billboard is needed to change attitudes or behavior is ill-conceived. Attitudes and opinions are formed at home. They grow and adapt depending on one’s life experiences. People will continue to behave how they feel fi t, no matter how big the billboard.
I was born and raised in the African-American community and learned well the religious and cultural mores that were passed on from generation to generation. Many of these notions were well known in my community as I was growing up. The recent homophobic and hateful responses to the “I Am Gay” ads in the Capital Region have caused me to reflect upon these memories. As an adult, I have gained an understanding of humanity, which requires me to treat all others with respect in terms of race, religion, sexual orientation and other forms of diversity. I understand that one should have the courage of one’s convictions to move away from misguided notions that one grew up with and were falsely assumed to be true. A lot of what we are hearing today comes from a myopic, narrowly informed perspective of theology and comparative religions. These notions should be of particular concern to black people, who were previously enslaved in this country but fought for over 400 years against the inhumanity of slavery and discrimination. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would remind us that it is the responsibility of all of us, particularly adults, to offer guidance and support to the younger generation, many of whom are struggling with their own identities. To do otherwise creates an atmosphere of ridicule, bullying and shame which can sometimes result in self-destructive behavior. Homosexuals have been a part of the fabric of society since the beginning of humankind. No one, particularly African-Americans and our so-called leaders who claim to struggle for peace and justice, should stand on the sidelines and shatter the dreams and hopes of a group of people because of their sexual orientation. Attending and participating in celebrations of Martin Luther King’s dreams and legacy is easy. It is the height of hypocrisy not to put his teachings into practice.
very well said,,,,,so we dont need billboards we need personal/family/community teaching and action.....billboards are no different than banging someone over the head with a bible.....IT IS THAT PERSONAL......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
SCHENECTADY Forum addresses controversial ‘I am gay’ billboards BY JASON SUBIK Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Jason Subik at 212-6223 or jsubik@dailygazette.net
When city resident Maxine Brisport first saw one of the billboards featuring a black man proudly proclaiming “I am gay,” she said she had no idea what kind of message the billboard was trying to send. Brisport, a former president of the city school board, had to come to a forum on the topic of the controversial billboards, hosted by the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission on Saturday at Schenectady Community College, to get her answer. Wes Holloway, a member of the county commission, said members thought it was necessary to have a public discussion about the billboard campaign because so many members of the public had complained. The campaign features 18 billboards as well as advertisements on buses and at bus stops that feature a black man with his family saying “I am gay, this is where I stay,” a black man on a basketball court saying “I am gay, this is where I play,” and a black man with a priest saying “I am gay, this is where I pray.” S a t u r d a y ’ s forum featured speakers Tandra LaGrone, director of In Our Own Voices, the agency that put up the billboards, members of the commission and Elmer Robert Keach, a lawyer representing the New York Civil Liberties Union. LaGrone explained that one of the ideas behind the billboards is to provoke a dialogue about issues of homosexuality in the black community. “As people of color, specifi cally as black people, we have so much work to do. As a community we need to take a look at each other and how we love each other, or the lack of love. It breaks my heart to sit in this room and realize all of the work that still has to be done,” LaGrone said. .....................>>>>.............>>>>....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00800&AppName=1
“As people of color, specifically as black people, we have so much work to do. As a community we need to take a look at each other and how we love each other, or the lack of love. It breaks my heart to sit in this room and realize all of the work that still has to be done,” LaGrone said.
Guess she doesn't know that our president is black, huh? And was actually voted in by a white majority....hmmmmm
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Guess she doesn't know that our president is black, huh? And was actually voted in by a white majority....hmmmmm
Bumble, George Worst Bush was such a disaster, that even Americans who are racists overcame their bigotry to vote for a black president.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Anyone who has viewed some of those Super Bowl commercials, or others on TV these days, has had the sense of puzzlement that comes with not knowing what they are selling, what their point or message is. But, hey, it was the advertisers’ $3 million for those 30 seconds during the game Sunday. In the case of the 18 scratch-yourhead “I Am Gay” advertisements appearing on local billboards, buses and bus shelters, it is the state Health Department’s money — i.e. taxpayers’. Those who complain that government is overreaching, that it’s involving itself in places it should not, could point to this as an example. The campaign is a joint effort of the Health Department and the advocacy group In Their Own Voices. It shows black men at various locations — in church, on the playground, at home — saying, “I am gay, and this is where I pray” . . . or “I am gay, and this is where I play” . . . or “I am gay, and this is where I stay.” And most people looking at the ads have said, “Huh?” Or in the case of some black ministers, who appear to be more conservative about homosexuality than most of society, they’ve been offended by the ads, which they see as disparaging young black men or promoting homosexuality. ...........................>>>>...............>>>>..................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00701&AppName=1
I am writing to say something nice about “In Their Own Voices,” and their billboards. I think this is a very positive statement for the gay community. In Albany, everyone knows where to go or call for information in the community. In Schenectady, there are no places; and if there are, they are not [for] public information. I was driving with my grandson, and he asked what all the problem was about. I explained to him that some people are afraid that the billboards would send a message to kids, like him, that he should be gay; or that gay men are not the kind of people that some folks in Schenectady want around. He just laughed and said if they would play basketball with him, he didn’t care what they were. I think this is a good frame of mind for a 10-year-old child who has been raised not to judge anyone in any way. My husband and I, as well as his parents, have tried to be sure all our grandchildren are diverse and get along with everyone, no matter. Maybe the homophobes in Schenectady should talk to the children and learn something.
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